Yuja Wang plays Tchaikovsky, Second Piano Concerto, with manuscript score

To his very famous First Concerto, Tchaikovsky preferred the Second Concerto for piano and orchestra. It is true that this work contains some very beautiful themes, and that its slow movement is very original: it sounds like a Trio for piano, violin and cello, with orchestra accompaniment (or like a Triple Concerto).
I have the pleasure of providing Tchaikovsky's handwritten score of this work. The version played here has a very brief cut in the first movement, and two slightly larger cuts in the last two movements. But it is more faithful to the original score than the often-played version by Alexander Siloti, whose cuts are more important.
Yuja Wang's musicality and purity of sound are, here as elsewhere, incomparable.
1er mvmt : 0:35
2e mvmt : 21:07
3e mvmt : 33:31

[@MrFpam]

Wow! She looks amazing in that beautiful red dress and plays this difficult work with great brilliance and makes it look easy!

[@mikaelbroo]

YUJA WANG IS INCOMPARABLE! I never cease to surprise me over with which seeming never-ending energy and passion Yuja Wang appears and invites all us friends of classical music on excellence as this Tchaikovsky concert. It is easy to agree with one of the opinion here above that "Yuja Wang's Musicality and Purity of Sound is, here as Elsewhere, Incomparable."

[@DIOULASSO]

She never ceases to surprise me too.

[@Malgorzata-sh4zq]

She is the best ever, queen of piano with unmatchable skills from technique to expression, nobody come even close to her. I love her plays and as pianist myself I bend down with admiration and understanding of her incredible talent.

[@familiebaur7388]

Was für ein tolles Konzert.!!!Das hört man viel zu selten.Ich bin mal wieder total begeistert.Bisher haben mich nur wenige Pianistinnen begeistert. Von Yuja Wang kann ich nicht lassen. Ich hörte zuerst vor Jahren Bumbelbee (vonPianist Josef Szefira)u.stutzte. Ich hatte es mir mehrere Male hintereinander angehört.Dieses Temperament .So was gefällt mir.Erinnert mich an meine ehemalige Lehrerin von der Musikhochschule Ffm(Poldi Mildner) Kennt leider heute kaum noch jemand.War mal eine Superpianistin u.hatte sogar in Amerika persönliche Bekanntschaft mit Rachmaninov gemacht.Hatte alle seine Konzerte bei ihm studiert. Von Yuja Wang hab ich letztes Jahr auch das zweite Konzert von Rachmaninov gehört. Fantastisch!!So musikalisch gespielt. Sie ist für mich total motivierend!

[@jiehyichang5267]

Thank you for sharing the manuscript! I'm deeply touched.

[@luis4488]

Yuja,es genial...no hay ahora mismo en el panorama mundial concertista de piano 🎹...mejor que ella,por velocidad de teclado, precisión y ejecución...,solo una pega...cuando saluda al público...se inclina demasiado...si...😮😊❤

[@josecortesrolembergfilho6783]

Tanto Yuja como Katia Buniathisville, estão no topo de sua carreira. As 2 são Magnificas! Yuja é mais cerebral na sua execução. Katia é mais romântica. São 2 Estrelas de igual GRANDEZA, que brilham no firmamento !!!😀😀😀😀

[@ednaramiro4138]

She's like a flashing thunder of the piano keyboard...

[@user-us4rm6qm9y]

С юношеских лет я люблю этот выдающийся Концерт Петра Ильича Чайковского. Один из красивейших и невероятно сложный технически для пианиста он продолжает восхищать собой мою душу и доставляет истинное наслаждение от Высокой Музыки! Блестящий оркестр, состоящий из настоящих музыкантов! Браво оркестру и его солистам! Особо хочу отметить маэстро Юрия Симонова! Выдающийся дирижёр! Он не просто управляет оркестром, а, как скульптор, создает своими движениями полный образ музыкального произведения, точно зная место и время нужного акцента. Поразительно и красиво, как он не просто дирижирует, а Исполняет весь Концерт! Браво маэстро Симонов! У вас нужно учиться искусству дирижирования! И последнее. Юйцзя Ван - гениальная пианистка! На мой взгляд, сегодня, она лучшая пианистка в мире! Обладая высочайшей техникой, она изумительно чутко знает музыкальный материал и умеет передать его так, как никто другой! Я продолжаю восхищаться ею и преклоняюсь перед её искусством! Браво, Юйця Ван!

[@pghagen]

Amazing performance by Yuja Wang! She is the new Argerich. There were two pianists from the past who did play this concerto regularly: Shura Cherkassky and Bella Davidovich. There are some performances by Shura on You Tube. Don't know from Davidovich. I heard this concerto in Utrecht / Netherlands when she was playing it there and it was broadcasted via Radio a few days later. Very interesting to see that Yuja was playing from the Tchaikovsky's own score full of scratches and handwritten notes.

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

Thank you for your comment. A little clarification: it is not Yuja who plays from the handwritten score, it is me who added it to the video!

[@Pogouldangeliwitz]

And yet another clarification: there can be no new Argerich. First, the "old" one is still alive. Second, she's unique. Miss Wang is just yet another technically proficient and musically insignificant Asian manual worker at the piano. The only difference with the hundreds of others is that her PR plan has succeeded. Sex sells, and so do "passionate" petite pianists in bikinis. Not enough to be remembered in 100 years - or even tomorrow. 🥱

[@bloodgrss]

@@Pogouldangeliwitz What a prejudiced and musically ignorant critique of Ms. Wang! Makes no difference if you are a fan or fanatic of the great Martha, to depict Wang the way you do is simply dishonest, and calls into question any critically sound opinion you may have over her as being simple shallow bias. She is remembered, and will be, long after your posted stupidity here is part of the digital ether...

[@bartwatts1921]

@@Pogouldangeliwitz you condescending, sexist prat. Her musicianship excels well beyond that of Argerich who IS the speed machine with hardly any depth. Yuja is able to creat fresh and new sonorities, touch, soundscapes, etc., you are simply too old and too set in your ways to appreciate what she offers. Yeah, she wears short dresses: so what? Get your chauvinist and grotesque mind out of the gutter and realize you are a relic of time that can no longer exist if the concert hall is to survive.

[@timothybolshaw]

@@Pogouldangeliwitz Looking at the reactions and general body language of the conductor and orchestra during this performance, I think it is fair to say they disagree with you. However, perhaps the Moscow Philharmonic and Yuri Simonov are just ignorant plebs with no real appreciation of Russian music. Count me among the other ignoramuses who think, especially on this kind of repertoire, Yuja is one of the greatest pianists of the age.

[@richardbutler9466]

I have never particularly cared for Miss Wang’s artistry-until I watched her play this lesser known Piano Concerto No. 2 by Tchaikovsky. But I now believe I have changed my mind about her musicality and excellence as a pianist. I must now say that she just may be the second best living pianist today. This performance was absolutely incomparable. I have only heard this on a CD but never watched it ‘live.’ It was a true joy watching her play this very difficult piece especially in the first movement. Her hands simply glided over the keys so fast that kept thinking that a keyboard cop was going to arrest her for speeding. Unbelievable. I can think of only two other living pianists that can play this PC other than Miss Wang-Kissin and Argerich. One day I would like to see the young Malofeev tackle it; however, I am not sure he is ready for it quite yet. But he may surprise me!

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

Thank you for your comment. However... All virtuosos are capable of speed. What is unique about Yuja is the absolute clarity in the speed. But we should also talk about the slowness, and the way this pianist makes the phrase of the slow movement sing, making it express all its emotional charge but without ever falling into pathos. This is how one recognizes a great musician.

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Wow, Richard! Steady on - from "I never particularly cared for her artistry" to declaring her "maybe the 2nd best living pianist" is too big a jump. But - I'm delighted to welcome your conversion to the extreme talents of one of the great performing artists of the day. It's not possible, and indeed pointless, to try to rate 1 to 10, so let's forget that approach. But focus on Yuja's interpretation instead. As Schumann's alter ego says "All virtuosos are capable of speed". Very interestingly, when Yuja Wang talks about preparing for a concert, the nerves, the audience, what to wear, she says "Once the music starts, I just go into the zone . . . . no two performances of a piece are the same". So for us, the receivers of her astonishing talent and perception and interpretation, we are able to hear even the most hackneyed piece as if it was the first time.

[@rigel48]

You should listen to Alexandre Kantorow who triumphed in the last Tchaikovsky competition with this same second piano concerto. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4m8kKSLbMd-hrM

[@bobzhao5287]

Now her performance on this second concert is much better than previous first concert.

[@tonybarnard8071]

Who, pray tell, do you consider the number one living pianist? Surely not Lang Lang who is a showboat.

[@pghagen]

To Eusebius et Florestan: Yes I noticed this meanwhile from te description that she was not playing from the original Tchaikovsky score. However she must have memorised the score from another copy, as she followed the Tchaikovsky score carefully.

[@walkercatenaccio]

There is no one close.

[@nickkor667]

Слушаю этот концерт Чайковского впервые. Он практически не исполняется. Скорее всего из-за отсутствия исполнителей. Звучит прекрасно. Юджия фактически открыла его для слушателей. Огромная ей благодарность. Привет из Киева.

[@yananneteoh9818]

☮️👍❤️☮️

[@carlosarias4549]

,,,,,,,,,,,, ,

[@ronaldbeield7946]

A dazzling performance of Tchaikovsky's more expansive and elaborate (but less popular) concerto by the iincredible supreme keyboard artist of 21st century. But even though the audio is top notch, the video is really disappointing. We need closeups of the soloist not only because she is beautiful but her expressions are key to her charisma.

[@Appleita]

Okay, I found the information. Yuja Wang is playing Concerto No. 2 for Piano by Tchaikovsky with L'Orchestre Philharmonique de Moscou conducted by Yuri Simonov - on 9/12/2015. Why don't they list this information when they post the concertos online?

[@hugowilliams1988]

KZbin may ask them to take down this video if they do that.

[@associazionemusadistefanog2058]

Thank you for sharing this video of the less known piano concerto

[@josedamiao7328]

Obrigado por disponibilizar esse vídeo maravilhoso!

[@Pink-Sushi-jp]

Thanks for the score, but Ms. Wang said she didn't need it. She also said there were several versions of this and she knew which one to play.

[@fastguitars4380]

The Asian Horowitz. She's always amazing.

[@stephanworm8470]

Yuja Wang is not a chinese Horowitz. I think her Repertoire is bigger than Horowitz Repertoire. He never play in public this Concert, Rachmaninoff Nr. 2, Liszt Nr. 1, Brahms Nr.1 - he played Brahms Nr. 2 with Toscanini etc. But ABM has in my opinion not the greatest Repertoire like Arrau or Richter, but he played the pieces like for example Debussy Preludes unique.

[@fastguitars4380]

@@stephanworm8470 She is amazing. Stunning performer .

[@Pogouldangeliwitz]

How one can compare a sewing machine to Horowitz totally eludes me. But I guess everyone's entitled to his bad taste.

[@fastguitars4380]

@@Pogouldangeliwitz I love Horowitz, Yuja is the Asian Horowitz.... and if he was alive today, he'd be her fan, as He would understand the magic in her playing that escapes your appreciation. See, there is a reason that Yuja sells out every concert for the last 10 yrs, and that reason, is not available for you to comprehend, Moe Zart

[@Pogouldangeliwitz]

@@fastguitars4380 The reason is that she's the wet dream of every farmer in Kansas, insurance broker in Guangdong and car mechanic in Chile. A bad reason that escapes every musically trained person's appreciation, indeed.

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

sensational, perfection

[@herminioteixeira5921]

Uma interpretação magnífica, de tirar o fôlego mas, além da pianista mais do que famosa, qual é a Orquestra? Quem é o Regente? Em qual sala de concertos aconteceu? Grato pela postagem.

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

Todas as informações necessárias podem ser encontradas no início do vídeo (entre 0'' e 23'')... obrigado pelo seu interesse.

[@frizzyfroggy]

interesting tone quality and contrast throughout. I sincerely reckon the trio musicians should be sitting close to one another in a cluster in one breath singing for and against the orchestra. better yet, without the celloist and violist being bothered moving here and there if momentum of the movements were to be considered, if applause to be spared.

[@alessiii58]

王羽佳以为指挥要去握手而站起来准备，结果。。。。。有点尴尬😅

[@JorgeFalconOnline]

🤣

[@Pogouldangeliwitz]

I wouldn't shake her hands either.

[@capblood3046]

I'm glad, she doesn't need your cooties...

[@zenevg]

Подскажите, плиз, когда была запись сделана?

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

The answer is at the beginning of the video (0'16''-0'22'')...

[@zenevg]

@@eusebiusetflorestan2532 Thanks a lot, it's my fault, I just rewound the applause at the beginning

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

@@zenevg You are welcome!

[@Appleita]

Who is the conductor? Does anyone know? Why don 't they post it?

[@user-fn1dn3fb2b]

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Yuri Simonov,Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, 9 December 2015 Moscow, Russia

[@richardf.2720]

Et alors Yyja ? On oubli de saluer le chef d'orchestre comme çà ...

[@vernonsmart]

What orchestra is this?

[@michaelpatterson5811]

It's the Moscow Philharmonic, conducted perfectly by Yuri Simonov (in a way which enables Yuja to lead the band, as Tchaikovsky would have wished) - recorded in Moscow on 9th December 2015

[@eusebiusetflorestan2532]

... it is indicated at the beginning of the video...

[@timothybolshaw]

@@michaelpatterson5811 I am glad you recognised the important role of Yuri Simonov who showed he is both a great conductor and a classy individual. He trusted Yuja's musical knowledge, and recognised that he could achieve the best result by allowing Yuja to drive the performance. He also demonstrated at the end that he believed Yuja deserved the lion's share of the credit. I always have the utmost respect for conductors who can suppress their own egos in the search for the best result. Yuja played this wonderfully, but was thoroughly supported by the other soloists, the orchestra and, above all, the conductor.

[@peterwhyte317]

@@timothybolshaw Is this why he allowed her to come in and sit down before he came on? I'm not sure what the protocol is.

[@timothybolshaw]

@@peterwhyte317 That *was* very odd, and I am unsure how to account for it. A gut feel on what may have been going on is this. Yuja was so psyched up as she came on stage that she was just intent on getting the performance underway. She simply, in the moment, forgot about poor Simonov, who took it very well, luckily. Yuja looked embarrasses at her mistake.

[@christianblaser3076]

😢 6:00

[@MrPGOLIVEIRA]

Não se ouve o piano como deveria por sero instrumento solista.

[@user-ib4bi3du2s]

왕유자^^^^^♡ 2435545445544444777 오빠 (오석환 ^^^^^♡❤)

[@pinglunlaw3437]

she is sincerely reproducing what musician bear in mind, don't trample it with idoscrite thoughts otherwise lost her fantasy.